Main Event Press Release:
MAYWEATHER BECOMES VIVIAN HARRIS’ NEW MANDATORY OPPONENT

BLOOMFIELD, NJ (August 12, 2004) – WBA jr. welterweight world champion Vivian Harris' manager Emanuel Steward has expressed his disappointment after learning that Ricky Hatton and Frank Warren pulled out of the WBA’s number #1 mandatory position and opted to forego a challenge for Harris' WBA belt: "Frank Warren's dictator-like attitude and his 'my way or no way' attitude was the breaking point," said Hall of Famer Steward. "He didn't want the Harris-Hatton title fight to go to purse bids, and now he’s cost Hatton a shot at the world title. Contrary to many media reports, we decided in conjunction with Main Events that since Hatton is a good boxer we'd even offer him a 50/50 split. That's unheard of when typically the champ gets 75-80%, but they still turned it down!"

Steward added, "Warren wanted to do the deal entirely his way. When the pressure was on he pulled Hatton from the ratings! Now, exactly as we predicted Hatton will face yet another Class C fighter in October. It's a shame because the British fans are some of the best fans in the world and they deserve much more. Ricky Hatton has always been one of my favorite fighters to watch, and I suspect he has the heart of a lion, but Warren is so demanding and stubborn, it's now cost Ricky a shot at the world title. Harris and Hatton both really wanted this fight. Our camps had even communicated personally. It's very disappointing."

However, Steward also made it clear that Harris has now set his sights on Floyd Mayweather, Jr: "As far as Vivian’s future is concerned, I have just gotten off the phone with our promoter, Main Events, and learned that the WBA is making Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Vivian’s mandatory now that Hatton has renounced the position. Mayweather has repeatedly said he wants to step up to the 140 pound class and fight for the championship, and now he has his opportunity to fight Vivian for the title. Vivian would love that fight, and now it is up to Mayweather to step up to the plate."

London, ENGLAND (August 4, 2004) – “There will be no fight between me and Matt Skelton,” stated Olympic heavyweight gold medallist and WBF Heavyweight Champion Audley Harrison (16-0, 11KOs) today after learning that British promoter Frank Warren had issued a press release declaring the fight was done and announced a press conference for Thursday to discuss particulars.

“I am not going to any press conference nor is a fight between myself and Matt Skelton a done deal,” said Harrison. “Unfortunately Mr. Warren’s overzealous and premature announcement that the fight is happening is irresponsible on his part as his statement is false and in fact, no contracts have been signed.”

Harrison, who is self-managed and represented by his own promotional company, A-Force Promotions, has been deep in negotiations with Warren, working overtime to make this fight happen for October 9. “At this stage of my career, I want nothing more than to fight Matt Skelton,” said Harrison. “I and my team have been doing our part to move things along and I felt quite confident that a deal for the fight was close to being made.”

Harrison continued. “Unfortunately Frank’s latest actions have now hamper the spirit of the negotiations, and it seems totally inappropriate at this stage of our talks that he would release such a statement when in fact there is no paper worked signed to back it up.”

Harrison, who has a tentative deal in the United States for a fight on November 13, is disappointed by Warren’s actions and will proceed with alternative career opportunities if a deal cannot be finalized soon. “Frank knows how to play the game, has a wonderful gift for the gab and his words are very convincing,” said Harrison. “Unfortunately none of this is good enough for me and unless there are signed contracts, which will give me 100% confidence that we have a fair and agreed upon deal, there is no fight to announce.”

Harrison finished. “Frank is all smoke and mirrors and once again trying to fool the boxing public in to believing that he is responsible for making this fight happen. In reality, Frank is responsible for it almost not happening by continuing to ignore the fact that A-Force is a co-promoter of this event and we will be treated with respect and professionalism if he wants to get the deal done.”

AUDLEY HARRISON WEBSITE

"It is with great sadness that the World Boxing Council announces that, on June 14, 2004, it will instruct its counsel to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation proceedings.

"The WBC was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2003 after a New York jury awarded Graciano Rocchigiani $31 million dollars based on his allegation that the WBC stripped him of his world title. The WBC had hoped to persuade the Court and the jury that it was not liable and not responsible for the harm Mr. Rocchigiani alleged. Sadly, and despite a vigorous defense, the WBC did not prevail.

"As much as the WBC would like to satisfy the judgment, it is simply impossible for the WBC - a not-for-profit organization - to pay Mr. Rocchigiani the staggering $31 million dollar award. Still, at all times, the WBC has done everything in its power to comply with the procedures and orders of the Federal Court in New York and of the Bankruptcy Court in Puerto Rico.

"In a last attempt to give Mr. Rocchigiani redress, the WBC recently made a substantial monetary settlement offer to Mr. Rocchigiani. Unfortunately, Mr. Rocchigiani rejected this generous offer, which itself far exceeds what Mr. Rocchigiani could hope to recover in WBC liquidation proceedings.

"Very few people could understand the deep sorrow the WBC's bankruptcy will signify to me personally, and to the members of the 10 continental federations representing 161 affiliated countries, who have devoted the very best of efforts, without compensation, to serve the boxing community, and those humble social sectors that are the cradle of the majority of our boxers world-wide, as our commitment as human beings towards the service of others in the world society.

"Many of the greatest and immortal champions of the second half of the 20th Century have been WBC world champions, like Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Carlos Monzon, Azumah Nelson, Marvin Hagler, Roy Jones Jr., Nino Benvenuti, Emile Griffith, Oscar De La Hoya, Tommy Hearns, Wilfredo Gomez, Eder Jofre, Chartchai Chionoi, Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, Alexis Arguello, Jungkoo Chang, Flash Elorde, Konstantin Tszyu, Vitali Klitschko, Frank Bruno, and many others who have written their name with golden letters in the history of world boxing.

"Ours efforts and actions also have served to transform boxing from legalized savagery into a sport regulated by the most advanced and humanized regulations to protect boxers at the highest historic level. Some of these efforts are:
* Reduction of fights from 15 to 12 rounds
* 24 hour weigh-in
* Food, medical and hospital pension plans for all ex champions and ex boxers in need.
* UCLA/WBC Program for brain injury research and treatment
* Four-rope ring
* Thumb-attached glove
* Full mandatory medical exams
* Intermediate weight divisions to avoid inhumane weight reductions by boxers
* Antidoping exams after each bout since 1977
* World Medical Congress for medical optimization
* World Ring Officials Congress to optimize ring officials' performance

"Many, many more rules and actions have changed and renovated our sport for the better, leading it to new ideals, safety, opportunities and human dignity, as well.

"Personally, I was born in boxing; I have lived all my life in it and want to die in the sport I love, as I am sure it is also the wish of all our friends and colleagues in every corner of the world. We are proud to have devoted our life for the good of the sport and will continue to do so in any manner possible, so we go on, feeling proud of our commitment to be of service."

SUGAR SHANE DECIDES NOW IS THE TIME
TO AVENGE LOSS TO WINKY WRIGHT!

LA VERNE, CA (April 15, 2004) -- Sugar Shane Mosley announced today that he has made a final decision to invoke his contractual right to an immediate rematch with Winky Wright.

“Shane has authorized me to secure a date for the HBO telecast of the bout,” said Mosley's lawyer, Judd Burstein. Burstein stated that he expected the bout to take place in the late Fall of 2004.

“I want to let the public know that I intend to avenge my defeat and show the world the true Sugar Shane Mosley next Fall, " said Mosley. "I am tremendously excited about training with Joe Goossen, and have no doubt that the result of the next fight will be completely different."

Goossen concurred in Mosley’s course of action: “I completely agree with Shane’s decision and his reasons for making that decision.”

Media Release : Fred Sternburg, publicist